Legislation would allow audio recording on school buses

School officials would be permitted to use audio recording equipment, as well as videotaping equipment, to monitor student conduct on school buses under legislation on its way to the governor.

School officials would be permitted to use audio recording equipment, as well as videotaping equipment, to monitor student conduct on school buses under legislation on its way to the governor.

Senate Bill 665 breezed through the Illinois House Tuesday on a 116-0 vote. The Senate passed the legislation in March, voting 52-5. To become law, it still needs the governor's signature.

Existing state law allows only video monitoring on school buses, said the bill's House sponsor, Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria.

"Oftentimes when school board and school personnel are having to make discipline decisions, only half the story is told with the visual," Schock said. "Oftentimes, it's difficult to determine who's at fault in a discipline case when you can't hear the audio."

The legislation is meant to ensure that no child is wrongfully punished, he said.

Schock, a former president of the Peoria School Board, said no particular incident inspired the legislation.